BUCS HAPPENINGS: Team shows Warren respect

One of the saddest and oddest sights occurred during with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s preseason game between Tampa Bay and Houston at Raymond James Stadium.

After wide receiver Paris Warren caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Bruce Gradkowski to break a 24-24 tie, the medical cart immediately arrived in the end zone.

While attending to Warren, who suffered a dislocated left ankle, all of the Buccaneer players departed the bench and went to the end zone, where Warren was after he was dragged down by Dexter McCleon of the Texans.

“We all have great respect for him, and italicize the word great,” quarterback Luke McCown said. “He understands the game. He knows how to run a route as good as anyone. It’s a blow that really dealt to his entire team, not just Paris Warren, because he does so much for us. He knows every wide receiver position for us. He’s a professional. He goes to work every day and works extremely hard."

With seven catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns, Warren was a key figure for the Buccaneers on Thursday.

He finished the preseason with team highs of 15 catches, 191 yards and four touchdowns.

“I’m literally heartbroken for him,” McCown said, “because I know how it feels. You have something in front of you, and it gets taken away from you because of injury. Paris is a mentally tough guy, as well. He’ll come back better.”